Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Lorna Dee Cervantes will be performing her poetry for two events associated with the International "Love Poetry. Hate Racism" readings taking place around the world. Originating in Ireland, scroll down to see the other events and venues. She'll be presenting a workshop and reading at SUNY-Potsdam tomorrow and on April 20 as a featured writer in their Spring Festival. On April 21, she'll be reading her poetry as part of her alma mater's 150th Anniversary Celebration of Literary Alumni and Faculty of San Jose State University. Both of these readings she is dedicating to "Love Poetry. Hate Racism."

On April 20, in Boulder Colorado, poet Tim Z. Hernandez and others have organized the first Floricanto at Naropa University. Poet and Spoken Word artist extraordinaire, JuanFelipe Herrera will be performing along with Tim and others. Tim has agreed to add this event to the long list of events occurring this weekend to bring poetry, peace and understanding to all.

April 21, at CU Boulder, students are holding their annual Poetry Slam - an event, I am sure, that is also dedicated to Love Poetry. Hate Racism.

Poetry! Not guns. Here's to life. Here's to love. Poetry ON!-----------------------------Love Poetry Hate Racism is an international celebration of diversity through poetry, taking place on the weekend of April 19th to 22nd 2007.

The Dublin event will be taking place in Crawdaddy, Harcourt St., Dublin 2, on the evening of Sunday 22nd April, from 8:00pm to 11:30pm. The packed line will feature a combination of Irish and International poets, rappers, musicians and bands.

At it's heart the event will be a poetry slam, and will highlight some of the most exciting and talented spoken word performers working in Ireland today - from the internationally renowned Belfast Poets Tour Group, to veteran slam poet Marty Mulligan (who has performed at Electric Picnic, Leviathan, Dublin Anti-War Rally 2004 and supported Saul Williams), to the emerging poets of Dublin's experimental Naked Lunch. Performers also come from Dublin's other regular poetry night, Write and Recite, and from Monster Truck Poetry (which is pushing the boundaries for spoken word recordings in Dublin) as well as The Winding Stair Café & Bookshop.

MC's on the night will be Dave Lordan (Irish writer, performer, and cultural and political activist) and Naked Lunch (Mike Igoe and Niall O'Brien)

The admission charge for the event is €5.00, and all profits (after venue rental) go to an anti-racism charity.

"A few months ago we decided that we wanted to play a part in combating racism and racist attacks, something which Belfast had seen a fair bit of in recent years. We put a call to make the event international and the response has been fantastic. Now from our initial call nearly 40 cities are involved and we look like getting many more."

"The reasoning behind the calling of this event was that Belfast in particular and Northern Ireland in general has been described as "the race hate capital of Europe," and it was true that many racist attacks and racist acts have taken place here. But what was also true is that there has been a widespread campaign against racism and that has taken root in many communities."

"Our view is that as poets we should be part of the offensive against the racists given that poetry is practised world-wide and that at its heart is the self expression of people wherever they come from. We also recognise that poetry crosses all manner of boundaries, from language to cultural differences to find common cause."

"When we were touring Australia we performed alongside poets from many different countries and cultural backgrounds and learnt from all of them. We have been affected in the way we approach our writing through that experience."

"Belfast has been known for many things but now we can say that we are putting the fight against racism on the map and encouraging this to be an international struggle."

"The Love Poetry Hate Racism weekend offers the opportunity to poets across the world to join together in an international celebration of the diversity of society and poetic traditions, new and old.

Just as language is constantly evolving in response to an ever changing environment, we are fortunate that poetry is also fed by a rich and varied diet of a multiplicity of cultural traditions and that societal changes enable us to share and enjoy many and varied contributions to this art form. It is not only the words used, or the language or manner in which they are delivered that is important, but the public proclamation around the world that culturally diverse societies can enrich our lives and our arts.

Love Poetry Hate Racism brings together poets of many traditions, genres and styles to share in this celebration of diversity and rejection of racism."